Sydney Thunder duo sent to hospital after sickening collision in BBL thriller

Sydney Thunder duo Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft have been taken to hospital following a sickening clash of heads during their team’s pulsating four-wicket, final-ball victory over the Perth Scorchers.

Scorchers opener Finn Allen cracked 68 off 31 balls and Cooper Connolly chipped in with an unbeaten 43 as the hosts made 177-4 in front of 46,471 fans at Optus Stadium on Friday night. In reply, David Warner (49 off 33 balls) set the foundations for the Thunder, but their victory hopes looked bleak needing 21 runs off the last seven balls.

A huge six from concussion substitute Hugh Weibgen (9 not out off six balls) gave them hope, and Sherfane Rutherford (39 not out off 19 balls) reduced the equation to three runs needed off the final delivery. Rutherford just got his bat on AJ Tye’s final delivery to send the ball to the fine leg boundary and secure a famous victory.

Thunder players streamed onto the field following the miraculous victory, but the result came secondary to the horrific on-field collision between Sams and Bancroft. Both players were running at full pace from opposite directions in a bid to catch Connolly’s skied shot when they collided while lunging for the ball.

Sams, who was running in from the boundary, appeared to be knocked out cold in the horrific clash of heads, with the 32-year-old laying prone on his back. Bancroft, who was running with the flight of the ball, did not lose consciousness but was clearly hurt.

View image in fullscreen Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams of Sydney Thunder collide while attempting to catch the ball against Perth Scorchers. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Thunder players rushed in as soon as the incident occurred, with the two Scorchers batters stopping their running between the wickets out of respect for the injuries. After some five minutes of treatment, a groggy Bancroft was able to walk off the field with the help of a trainer, blood streaming from his nose as he left the field.

Sams was treated by his team’s medical staff as well as an ambulance crew before being taken off on a medi-cab. The Thunder later confirmed that both players had been concussed and were taken to hospital for further assessment, with concerns about possible fractures. They were at least conscious and talking.

View image in fullscreen Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams were taken to hospital following a clash of heads. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/AAP

An ill Ollie Davies and uncapped 20-year-old Weibgen were approved as the duo’s concussion replacements by the match referee.

“Standing at mid-wicket, I saw everything,” Rutherford said of the collision. “I was going to see how they looked, but when I saw the blood, I turned back, because I’m not a fan of blood.

“I saw a bit of Dan Sams in the room. It looked like he was unconscious. It definitely was a motivation for us. Everything we did tonight, it was for our two soldiers. I told myself I had to do something for them.”

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The Scorchers were 126 for four after 15.2 overs when play was halted while Bancroft and Sams were attended to. Thunder spinner Chris Green (3 for 20 off four overs) played a crucial role in halting Perth’s momentum as the home side lost 8 for 3 in a mid-innings slump.

At 113 for 3 in their run chase, the Thunder were a real chance to pull off victory. Warner’s dismissal in the 14th over when he was caught on the boundary was a huge blow, but some big hits from Rutherford were enough to get the Thunder over the line.

“I had two plans,” Rutherford said of the final ball. “One was to try to hit it in the gap and get two. But then I was like, ‘that doesn’t make sense, just let me try to smack it, and anything can happen’.

“I actually had an edge down the leg (to win it). It was a good night for me, and I’m happy we got across the line for the team.”

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